BOSTON - The Orioles conclude their four-game series against the Red Sox this morning, reminded again that a baseball season isn't the only marathon. Dan Straily will try to build off his first Orioles start, a cumbersome process given his unexpected release by the Marlins in late March and an idle stretch that broke his rhythm. Straily is learning that Alex Cobb can be a handy resource. Cobb missed most of the 2018 spring training because he stayed on the free agent market until signing his...

As the Orioles are looking for some solid starting pitching - they don't have a quality start over their last 11 games - John Means provided an encouraging outing on Sunday at Boston. Means went five innings, allowing four hits and one run with one walk and three strikeouts in Boston's 4-0 win. He took the loss and is now 1-2 but has a 1.98 ERA over five outings. In 13 2/3 innings on the season, he has walked four and fanned 13. Means threw 82 pitches Sunday, averaging 91.5 mph on his 50...

Right-hander Max Scherzer went eight strong innings to keep the Nationals in the game, but a late clutch base hit by Jason Martin helped the Pirates to a 4-3 victory and a series win at Nats Park. Scherzer allowed only three runs on seven hits, struck out seven with one walk. He fired 98 pitches, 71 for strikes in finishing eight innings. Pittsburgh's Josh Bell continued a big series, going 2-for-3 with two doubles, three runs and two RBIs. He is batting .378 over the last 10 games. It was...

BOSTON - John Means gave the Orioles five innings today. Gave them a gritty effort with easy stretches, one jam escaped and minimal damage in another. Gave them reasons to consider him for a longer stay in the rotation. Alex Cobb is expected back next weekend, leaving Means to wonder how he's going to be handled. He'll let the people above his pay grade make the decision. Means complicated it by holding the Red Sox to one run in his second major league start, the deficit too much for the...

The Pirates pulled off a rare feat in the first inning, connecting on three hits for two early runs against right-hander Max Scherzer. In his first three starts, Scherzer had allowed two or fewer earned runs in two of those games. Josh Bell had an RBI double and Colin Moran dropped in a run-scoring single. The Nationals quickly got on the board in the bottom of the first against right-hander Jameson Taillon. Adam Eaton led off with a single and stole second base. Howie Kendrick continued his...

Not only did Chris Davis end his hitless streak yesterday, but his hits were big ones as the Orioles beat Boston 9-5 to even the four-game series at a win each. Davis went 3-for-5 with four RBIs, producing three hits for the first time since Aug. 28 and four RBIs for the first time since July 29. Davis ended his 0-for-54 run with a two-run single in the top of the first to start his big day. The Orioles have now outscored opponents 15-5 in the first inning, making it their best inning of the...

Manager Davey Martinez placed second baseman Howie Kendrick in the No. 2 hole again, his second consecutive start. Martinez said nothing is wrong with Brian Dozier; he just wants to give Kendrick more at-bats, especially coming off yesterday's dramatic solo homer to give the Nationals a 3-2 win over Pittsburgh. "He hits a game-winner yesterday," Martinez said. "Coming out today and let him get some more at-bats. The biggest thing for him is keeping him healthy. Knowing we have a day off...

BOSTON - Dwight Smith Jr. has been scratched from the Orioles lineup today with a sore right leg. Manager Brandon Hyde passed along the news that Smith is available to play if needed. Trey Mancini moves from right field to left, Joey Rickard goes to right and Cedric Mullins gets the start in center. Smith was supposed to make his 15th start in left field. "He's been playing great defense in left field," Hyde said. "I knew he was going to be a good outfielder. I didn't know he was going to...

BOSTON - Chris Davis stays in the Orioles lineup today against Red Sox left-hander David Price, with Trey Mancini in right field again and Renato Núñez continuing to serve as designated hitter. Jonathan Villar is leading off and playing second base. Joey Rickard is in center field, with Cedric Mullins going to the bench. Hanser Alberto replaces Rio Ruiz at third base against a southpaw. Jesús Sucre is catching left-hander John Means, who's making his second major league start. For the...

Third baseman Anthony Rendon smacked a double in the fourth inning on Saturday afternoon to extend his hitting streak to 12 games, which matches a career high from June of 2018. He has extra-base hits in 10 straight games, the longest of his career, the longest in the major leagues this season and longest in Nationals history. The extra-base streak is the longest in baseball since Cleveland's Francisco Lindor from Sept. 7-16, 2017 and Houston's Alex Bregman from July 30-Aug. 9, 2017. The...